New Hampshire's Income-Based $8,000 Heat Pump Rebate: A Simple Guide
New Hampshire is preparing an income-based home rebate program that may provide up to $8,000 toward a qualifying heat pump. You may also see it called the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program, or HEAR, but the current federal name is the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate program, or HEEHR. The program is still being developed. The amounts and rules below come from currently published federal and state materials, but eligibility, documentation, qualifying projects, and coordination with other rebates may change before launch.
Program status as of July 31, 2026: Not open. New Hampshire has hired a program administrator but has not published final consumer rules or opened homeowner applications. We will update this page as the state releases details.
The short version
- Final New Hampshire eligibility and documentation rules are still pending.
- Current federal guidance excludes rebates for replacing oil, propane, or natural-gas equipment with a heat pump. A home with fossil-fuel heat may still have an eligible electric-to-electric HVAC upgrade while retaining its boiler or furnace, subject to New Hampshire's final rules.
- Insulation and air sealing may be required before a heating and cooling upgrade unless the home already meets a state-specified level.
- Qualifying households below 80% of area median income may receive up to 100% of an eligible project cost, subject to the program limits.
- Qualifying households from 80% through 150% of area median income may receive up to 50% of an eligible project cost, subject to the program limits.
- Households above 150% of area median income are not eligible for this particular rebate.
- The maximum heat pump rebate is $8,000. That does not mean every approved project receives $8,000.
- The program may generally be combined with an eligible NHSaves rebate. It cannot be combined with the federally funded New England Heat Pump Accelerator incentive for the same project.
What do the income limits mean?
The program uses area median income, usually shortened to AMI. There is not one income limit for every New Hampshire household. The dollar threshold depends on where you live and how many people are in your household.
New Hampshire's published guidance says household income is based on the combined gross income of the adults who live in the home. The state's final application process will determine the income documentation and the exact dollar limit that applies to each household.
| Household income | Possible share of an eligible project |
|---|---|
| Below 80% of area median income | Up to 100%, within the program caps |
| 80% through 150% of area median income | Up to 50%, within the program caps |
| Above 150% of area median income | Not eligible for HEEHR |
Here is a simple example. If an eligible heat pump project costs $10,000, a household in the 80% to 150% group could receive up to $5,000, not $8,000. A household below 80% could receive up to the $8,000 heat pump cap. Final approval, eligible costs, and available funding still apply.
What may the rebate cover?
New Hampshire's currently published program materials list the following possible maximums. These are not guaranteed awards, and the final state program may revise how they are applied:
- Up to $8,000 for a qualifying heat pump for heating and cooling
- Up to $1,750 for a qualifying heat pump water heater
- Up to $4,000 for a qualifying electrical load service center or panel upgrade
- Up to $2,500 for qualifying electrical wiring
- Up to $1,600 for qualifying insulation, air sealing, and ventilation work
The federal household maximum is $14,000. Each category also has its own cap. New Hampshire's published design limits the electrical, wiring, and weatherization rebates to households below 80% of area median income. Households in the 80% to 150% group are currently listed as eligible only for qualifying heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. The final New Hampshire rules will control when the program opens.
An important change for existing heating systems
Older descriptions made this sound like a broad rebate for changing from oil, propane, or natural gas to a heat pump. Federal guidance issued in May 2026 changed that. For existing homes, the program now generally allows heating and cooling rebates when existing electric equipment is replaced with more efficient electric equipment. A home is not automatically disqualified because it also has fossil-fuel heat. A household may keep its boiler or furnace while installing a heat pump that replaces eligible existing electric HVAC equipment, subject to New Hampshire's final rules. New construction can still qualify under the federal guidance.
The updated federal guidance also requires insulation and air sealing before a heating and cooling upgrade unless the home already meets a state-specified level. New Hampshire's final rules must explain how that requirement will be handled.
This means a homeowner should not assume that an oil-to-heat-pump or gas-to-heat-pump conversion will receive the $8,000 rebate. New Hampshire must bring its program into line with the updated federal requirements and publish how qualifying electric-to-electric projects will be documented before launch.
Can it be combined with NHSaves?
Generally, yes. NHSaves is funded by New Hampshire electric and natural gas ratepayers, not by this federal rebate grant. Federal guidance encourages states to combine HEEHR with other lawful funding sources. Final New Hampshire and utility rules will determine how the discounts are coordinated, and total assistance cannot exceed the eligible project cost.
Can it be combined with the New England Heat Pump Accelerator?
Not for the same heat pump project. The Accelerator is funded by a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant. Federal law says HEEHR cannot be combined with another federal grant or rebate for the same qualified electrification project. A homeowner would use one federal rebate path or the other, then add any separate NHSaves incentive for which the project qualifies.
Is the program finalized, and can I apply now?
No. New Hampshire has hired the company that will administer the program, but the state has not finalized the consumer program or opened homeowner applications. The income-verification process, qualifying measures, documentation, approval steps, coordination with other rebates, and other details may change before launch.
Do not include this potential rebate in your project budget until New Hampshire publishes the final requirements. If your current system is working and your project is flexible, our Home Comfort Advisors can help you compare the possible benefit of waiting with the incentives available today. If your system is failing or your home needs an upgrade now, we can review current NHSaves rebates, financing, and equipment options without assuming this future rebate will apply.
Not sure whether waiting makes sense?
A heat pump still needs to be the right fit for the home. A.J. LeBlanc Heating can evaluate the house, discuss ducted and ductless options, and size the equipment for New Hampshire weather. Our Home Comfort Advisors can review today's confirmed NHSaves rebates, financing, and equipment options, including the New England Heat Pump Accelerator when eligible. They can also explain what is still uncertain about the future program. Income eligibility and final rebate approval will come from the program administrator.
Review current rebates and the eligibility checker, compare estimated ownership costs with our heat pump cost calculator, or learn more about heat pump installation in Southern New Hampshire.
Frequently asked questions
Is every New Hampshire homeowner getting an $8,000 heat pump rebate?
No. The rebate is income-based, the project must qualify, and $8,000 is the maximum for the heat pump category.
What income qualifies for the New Hampshire heat pump rebate?
Households below 80% of area median income may qualify for up to 100% of eligible costs within the caps. Households from 80% through 150% may qualify for up to 50%. The actual dollar threshold varies by location and household size.
Can I combine the new federal rebate with NHSaves?
HEEHR can generally be combined with an eligible NHSaves rebate because NHSaves is ratepayer-funded. Final state and utility rules will apply.
Can I use HEEHR and the New England Heat Pump Accelerator together?
No, not for the same qualified heat pump project. Both use federal funding.
Is the New Hampshire HEEHR rebate open now?
No. Homeowner applications are not open. See the dated program-status box at the top of this page for the latest update, and check the New Hampshire Department of Energy for the final rules when they are published.
Last reviewed: July 31, 2026. This article explains the program using currently published information. New Hampshire has not finalized or opened the program, and the amounts, eligibility rules, qualifying work, documentation, timing, and available funding may change. The final written rules from the state and program administrator will control.
Sources
Official HEEHR and New Hampshire sources
- U.S. Department of Energy HEEHR Program Notice 26-2, effective May 29, 2026
- New Hampshire Department of Energy rebate questions and answers
- New Hampshire Governor and Executive Council, program administrator contract